★ Author Akihiko Nishiyama is a visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University with a PhD in Business Administration. He has studied at 4 universities in 3 countries, worked at 8 universities, and given over 1,000 training and speaking engagements. He has served as director of the Tokyo Gas Urban Life Research Institute, specially appointed professor at Hitotsubashi University, and outside director of Mitsubishi Corporation.
★ Japan’s Ministry of Finance has proposed cutting 250 private universities; about 60% already fail to fill their quotas. Against this backdrop, Ritsumeikan University has taken bold action as a “next-generation research university.” The author examines both education and research through graduate interviews and research surveys to explain what makes Ritsumeikan different.
★ According to a Nikkei survey, among the top 25 universities by number of company presidents, Ritsumeikan graduates’ companies have an ROE of 10.9%, ranking first, surpassing the University of Tokyo (9.2%) and Kyoto University (9.5%). The book includes interviews with three types of graduates: young government and business elites, social-impact challengers, and leaders of large organizations.
★ In research, Ritsumeikan was selected for J-PEAKS. Of the 25 universities chosen, only 4 are private (Keio, OIST, Fujita Health, Ritsumeikan), and Ritsumeikan is the only one without a medical school. Its core “Body Sphere Research” project challenges a new academic field.
★ For university administrators, education policy researchers, business leaders, and anyone concerned with how universities survive in crisis.

From the body sphere to the frontiers of space and Earth—cutting-edge research, numerous adoptions, faculty-staff collaboration, and projects a step ahead. What makes Ritsumeikan University different?

“According to MEXT projections, university enrollment will peak in 2026 and then decline, falling to about 410,000 by 2050, a 30% decrease from 2021. Already more than half of private universities cannot fill their quotas. What happens if enrollment falls another 30%? Universities, which have long contributed to Japan‘s human resource development, are entering an unprecedented crisis. In the face of this systemic crisis, one university is actively exploring the form of the university for the next era and boldly taking on the challenge. That university is Ritsumeikan University.” (From the book’s foreword)

The author examines both education and research: interviews with active graduates on the education side, and surveys and analysis of research activities that have received external recognition on the research side.

Akihiko Nishiyama（西山昭彦）
Visiting Professor at Ritsumeikan University. After graduating from Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Social Sciences, joined Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. Studied at the University of London Graduate School; completed master‘s program at Harvard University Graduate School. Researcher at the Middle East Economic Research Institute. Founded Urban Club Co., Ltd. through an internal venture and served as director. Completed doctoral program at Hosei University Graduate School, PhD in Business Administration. Formerly visiting professor at Hosei University Graduate School, director of Tokyo Gas Urban Life Research Institute and Nishiyama Management Research Institute, professor at Tokyo Women’s Christian University Faculty of International Liberal Arts, specially appointed professor at Hitotsubashi University, outside director of Mitsubishi Corporation, and professor at Ritsumeikan University Common Education Promotion Organization. Assumed current position in 2023. Trustee of Meisei Gakuen Educational Foundation, special advisor and visiting professor at Meisei University, and recommendation committee member of the Japan Fashion Association‘s Cinema Dream Club. Has studied at 4 universities in 3 countries and worked at 8 universities. Research centers on human resource development, corporate management, and career design, with over 1,000 training and speaking engagements. “Career research for business professionals” is his lifelong theme.

Chapter 1: The Era of University Extinction Has Arrived
Chapter 2: External Evaluation of Ritsumeikan University
Chapter 3: Graduate 1—Elites in Government and Business in Their Twenties
Chapter 4: Graduate 2—Challengers Creating Social Impact
Chapter 5: Graduate 3—Leaders of Large Organizations
Chapter 6: The Advance of a Research University—Three Major Projects
Chapter 7: Toward the Future